Tuesday, December 16, 2008

First Facts of Bintulu - First Garden Gazebo

This is the best picture I have of the first garden structure built at a public space and for public amenity in Bintulu in the very early years of the 1960's. The structure was probably built in 1960. The roof was made of tiles and post of belian hardwood. The floor was tiled with mosaic . This public amenity was well frequented in those days and around it were other public amenities like the see-saw and swing. The garden lawn was planted with cow grass ( axonopus compressus) and the most interesting feature was that it was planted with trees. One particular tree that still remains to this day is the yellow flame tree ( Peltophorum pterocarpum) ( Please see picture below) which is fortunately preserved in the re-making of the park and its surrounding area which is underway now.

To the left of the yellow flame tree was a swing, which I used to play with and towards the right would be the public structure or gazebo. In 1961, I was 10 years old. Thus this tree is more than 45 years old now.

The center of attraction of the park today is this fountain. However, there are no rest or garden shelter built like it used to be before.